High Plateau line
Encyclopedia
The High Plateau line is network of railway lines under construction across Algeria
. The project is managed by Anesrif
.
in the east to Moulay Slissen
in the west, via Tiaret and M'Sila
, through a sparsely populated area bordering the Atlas mountains
and the Sahara
; 18 new passenger stations are planned. This route incorporates some elements of the existing network, connected by 630 km of new lines.
Most of Algeria's existing rail network is further north, along the coast; the "inland" route allows traffic to bypass the main "Rocade Nord" route through Constantine
, Algiers
, and Oran
. This project goes hand in hand with Anesrif
's other plans to improve Algeria's 4000 km of existing railways.
A further stretch of railway will run from Tlemcen
to a new station at Maghina and then to the Moroccan
border at Akid Abbas. The border with Morocco has been sealed since 1994, but there is pressure to reopen the border to travellers.
(even though it crosses some existing 1055 mm (approximately 3 feet, 6 inches) gauge lines) and mostly single-track.
There is provision for 25 kV electrification
in the future. GSM-R
will be used for communications.
, an Algerian state agency which is undertaking several large projects to revitalise railways and build new infrastructure. Anesrif has awarded contracts to various consortia.
Once in operation, new lines will be operated by SNTF
.
As existing railways in Algeria are poorly utilised, despite expensive investments in the past, there have been concerns about the authorities' ability to manage capacity appropriately. Away from the coast, Algeria is sparsely populated, although cities are expected to grow as a result of improved infrastructure; this has already happened in Tiaret.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
. The project is managed by Anesrif
Anesrif
Anesrif is a transport business created by the government of Algeria, to expand and modernise the Algerian railway system.-Name:Anesrif's full name, in French, is Agence nationale d’études et de suivi de la réalisation des investissements ferroviaires...
.
Route
The route runs 1200 km from TebessaTébessa
Tébessa is the capital city of Tébessa Province, Algeria, 20 kilometers west from the border with Tunisia. Nearby is also a phosphate mine. The city is famous for the traditional Algerian carpets in the region, and is home to over 161,440 people.-History:...
in the east to Moulay Slissen
Moulay Slissen
Moulay Slissen is a town and commune in Sidi Bel Abbès Province in northwestern Algeria.-References:...
in the west, via Tiaret and M'Sila
M'Sila
M'Sila ; is the capital of M'Sila Province, Algeria, and is co-extensive with M'Sila District. It has a population of over 100,000...
, through a sparsely populated area bordering the Atlas mountains
Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains is a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Toubkal, with an elevation of in southwestern Morocco. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert...
and the Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
; 18 new passenger stations are planned. This route incorporates some elements of the existing network, connected by 630 km of new lines.
Most of Algeria's existing rail network is further north, along the coast; the "inland" route allows traffic to bypass the main "Rocade Nord" route through Constantine
Constantine, Algeria
Constantine is the capital of Constantine Province in north-eastern Algeria. It was the capital of the same-named French département until 1962. Slightly inland, it is about 80 kilometres from the Mediterranean coast, on the banks of Rhumel river...
, Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, and Oran
Oran
Oran is a major city on the northwestern Mediterranean coast of Algeria, and the second largest city of the country.It is the capital of the Oran Province . The city has a population of 759,645 , while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1,500,000, making it the second largest...
. This project goes hand in hand with Anesrif
Anesrif
Anesrif is a transport business created by the government of Algeria, to expand and modernise the Algerian railway system.-Name:Anesrif's full name, in French, is Agence nationale d’études et de suivi de la réalisation des investissements ferroviaires...
's other plans to improve Algeria's 4000 km of existing railways.
A further stretch of railway will run from Tlemcen
Tlemcen
Tlemcen is a town in Northwestern Algeria, and the capital of the province of the same name. It is located inland in the center of a region known for its olive plantations and vineyards...
to a new station at Maghina and then to the Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
border at Akid Abbas. The border with Morocco has been sealed since 1994, but there is pressure to reopen the border to travellers.
Specification
The route is mostly being built for 160 km/h (99.4 mph) running; the line near the Moroccan border is designed for higher speeds. The line is standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
(even though it crosses some existing 1055 mm (approximately 3 feet, 6 inches) gauge lines) and mostly single-track.
There is provision for 25 kV electrification
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
in the future. GSM-R
GSM-R
GSM-R, Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway or GSM-Railway is an international wireless communications standard for railway communication and applications. A sub-system of European Rail Traffic Management System , it is used for communication between train and railway regulation...
will be used for communications.
Project
The project is being managed by AnesrifAnesrif
Anesrif is a transport business created by the government of Algeria, to expand and modernise the Algerian railway system.-Name:Anesrif's full name, in French, is Agence nationale d’études et de suivi de la réalisation des investissements ferroviaires...
, an Algerian state agency which is undertaking several large projects to revitalise railways and build new infrastructure. Anesrif has awarded contracts to various consortia.
Once in operation, new lines will be operated by SNTF
SNTF
National company for rail transport is Algeria's national railway operator. The SNTF, a state-owned company, currently has a monopoly over Algeria's network of , even though it is currently exploiting only...
.
- In May 2010, a contract was awarded to build a 185km section of railway from Tissemsilt-Tiaret-Relizane, for 160km/h running; it will be designed with future electrification in mind.
- In March 2011, Anesrif awarded a contract to build the railway from Tlemcen to the Moroccan border.
- As of March 2011, AlstomAlstomAlstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
was already constructing the 120km section between SaidaSaida, Algeria-Location:Saïda is located in northwestern Algeria, on the southern slopes of the Tell Atlas mountain range situated on the northern fringe of the High Plateaus...
and Moulay SlissenMoulay SlissenMoulay Slissen is a town and commune in Sidi Bel Abbès Province in northwestern Algeria.-References:...
. - Work was expected to begin on the 153km Saida-Tiaret line in the summer of 2011.
Development
The east-west High Plateau line incorporates some elements of existing Algerian lines, although away from the coast, existing infrastructure has mostly been north-south.- The Tebessa-Annaba line largely operates independently, hauling iron ore and phosphates to a port on the coast; there have been proposals to spin it off as a private concession.
- There was already a line from Ain M'lilla to Barika, part of an oil export chain from TouggourtTouggourtTouggourt is a city in Ouargla Province, Algeria, built around an oasis in the Sahara. It is notable for its date trees. It was formerly surrounded by a moat, which the French filled up. The surrounding oasis is very fertile. From Touggourt a road 61 miles long leads across the desert north-east...
, developed by FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the colonial era.
As existing railways in Algeria are poorly utilised, despite expensive investments in the past, there have been concerns about the authorities' ability to manage capacity appropriately. Away from the coast, Algeria is sparsely populated, although cities are expected to grow as a result of improved infrastructure; this has already happened in Tiaret.